Why Does a Cat Chase Its Tail?

Cats are fun, entertaining and sometimes strange, mysterious creatures. Like humans, they all have different personalities, habits and sometimes obsessions. Many cats will chase nearly anything that moves, including their own tails. They seem to think it’s a handy play thing, put there especially for their own entertainment. Although it is rare, a cat will sometimes show this behavior trait until it turns into a worry for its owner. If you have a cat chasing tail problem in your home, here are some reasons why the behavior may be happening.

One Example of the Cat Chasing Tail Syndrome:

As stated above, most cats find their tails to be an entertaining source of amusement. When they see their tail twitch, they can’t help but to pounce on it. Whether they intentionally make their tail move in order to have a reason to chase it, is known only by the cat! This is all harmless and very common. Most cats have periods of playfulness in which they feel the need to jump, twirl, run quickly through the house as if being chased by a pack of dogs, or simply turn in circles to capture their tail. This behavior is not in any way unique nor should it be a worry to the owner.

Health Problems That May Cause a Cat To Chase Its Tail:

If an owner notices that his or her cat is chasing its tail too often, there may be health issues causing the behavior. One such condition may be a flea infestation. Even one flea or flea bite can cause a sensitive cat to become very uncomfortable, which may include what looks like a cat chasing tail problem, but in actuality, is probably a literal itch that can’t be scratched. Making sure the cat is on a Vet approved flea control medication will more then likely make sure the cat chasing tail problem doesn’t continue.

Allergies That Can Cause a Cat To Chase Its Tail:

Cats can be allergic to many substances including their food, ingredients that are in cat treats, pollens, grass and molds. To treat a food allergy that may cause a cat to incessantly chase its tail, a Vet should be consulted to advise on the best ways to eliminate the problem food source. This usually includes gradually changing the cats food to an either non-allergenic type or an organic food. For skin allergies, the Vet may put the cat on a medication such as Benedryl to reduce the itching. Cats can have seasonal allergies which may cause inappropriate tail chasing. If this is the case, the Veterinarian will be able to provide the correct treatment measures and medications if they are needed.

Conclusion:

A cat chasing tail problem is almost always not an actual problem at all. It may be that the cat is feeling exceptionally frisky and playful. It may mean that the cat is suffering from boredom. If so, adding a few new toys may help the cat forget its tail chasing fetish for a while. For cats that want to chase things, there are a variety of wind-up and/or mechanized cat toys that should keep its attention for long periods of time. If in doubt that your cat is simply playing when it chases its tail, the Vet should be able to pinpoint any underlying problems.


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